Nation in brief: Army probing concert claims

Richmond, Va. – The Army said Friday it was investigating a claim that dozens of soldiers who refused to attend a Christian band’s concert at a Virginia military base were banished to their barracks and told to clean them up.

Fort Eustis spokesman Rick Haverinen told the Associated Press he couldn’t comment on the specifics of the investigation.

Pvt. Anthony Smith, 21, was stationed in Virginia for nearly seven months for helicopter electrician training when the Christian rock group BarlowGirl played as part of the “Commanding General’s Spiritual Fitness Concerts.”

Smith said a staff sergeant told 200 men in their barracks they could either attend or remain in their barracks. Eighty to 100 decided not to attend, he said.

“Instead of being released to our personal time, we were locked down,” Smith said.

“It seemed very much like a punishment.”

Smith said he went up the chain of command and traced the concert edict to a captain, who said he simply wanted to “show support for those kind of events that bring soldiers together.”

Allen won’t face abuse charges

Anchorage, Alaska – The Department of Justice has decided not to pursue charges against former VECO Chairman Bill Allen in a child sexual abuse investigation, authorities said.

Allen is serving time in a federal prison after pleading guilty to bribing Alaska lawmakers.

His conduct with at least two underage girls had been the subject of a police investigation since 2008.